Joey Barton: So many positives for Fleetwood ahead of Northampton test

Joey Barton is taking a lot from Fleetwood Town’s draw against Sunderland into their game at Northampton Town this evening.
Joey Barton expects a tough physical test against Keith Curle's Northampton tonightJoey Barton expects a tough physical test against Keith Curle's Northampton tonight
Joey Barton expects a tough physical test against Keith Curle's Northampton tonight
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Callum Connolly has found a home says boss Barton

Town travel to Sixfields (7.45pm) looking to follow up last Friday’s 1-1 stalemate at Highbury, and head coach Barton believes that point against the Black Cats – who subsequently sacked manager Phil Parkinson – will stand his team in good stead to face last season’s League Two play-off winners tonight.

“I think that was a great indicator,” Barton said of the Sunderland match.

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“We set the team up to press from the front because I expected Sunderland to play.

“I get that there’s been a bit of pressure there and they’ve gone a little more back to front.

Northampton were in the play-offs last year and I know the way (manager) Keith Curle sets up.

“He’s an offspring of Neil Warnock, who is a fantastic friend of mine.

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“They play in a certain manner that’s effective for them and there are many, many ways to skin a cat.

“It’s not about getting 500 or 600 passes in and tiki-taka football.

“If your best players play at their best when it’s a different type of game, you would be stupid not to play that way.

“It’s another test for us. They are a newly-promoted side, who have had a decent start.

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“They will be looking to beat us, especially with (former Town midfielder) Jack Sowerby in the team.

“We are only a quarter of the way through the season, and we have a lot of hard work and wars before any prizes are handed out.

“If we keep being humble and working hard on the training ground, and respecting the process, I think we will be there or thereabouts.

“We’ll need a little bit of luck along the way, like everyone else, but it’s really positive times for this football club.”

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Friday’s point was won on a night when Barton’s players had to show another side to their game.

Having won five of the last six League One matches and scored nine goals in their previous two, Town rallied after falling behind as Callum Connolly’s equaliser ensured honours were even.

Barton said: “It’s nice to beat teams 4-1 or 5-1 because it shows your quality, but what about when things don’t go your way and you fall behind? “We’ve answered that against a very good Sunderland side and one that will be in the picture for getting out of this division come what may.

“We had to respond and we can’t coach that. It comes from something inside the boys in terms of their belief and their want to do that, and you saw the response.

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“That’s the most pleasing thing. If you can’t win you are always looking for positive signs and we’ve certainly answered a few questions.

“Callum Connolly has taken the captain’s armband for the last couple of games and I think he’s given two real captain’s performances.

“Our back three had to stand up and be counted against Sunderland.

“When we were tasked with defending, I thought we did that superbly.

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“We’re just a bit disappointed that the only goal they scored came from what was probably the worst opportunity.

“The ball was just hooked back in and we don’t deal with it, letting the ball bounce.

“It’s one Jayson (Leutwiler, goalkeeper) and the defence will probably think they could have done better with but that’s football sometimes.

“We strive for perfection in an imperfect game, and Jayson and the back lads have been outstanding.

“You take the rough with the smooth.

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“You’ll get some bumps and bruises, but it’s about how we respond and I thought we responded superbly.”

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